US4305803A - Gas sensor construction, particularly to determine oxygen content combustion exhaust gases, particularly from internal combustion engines - Google Patents

Gas sensor construction, particularly to determine oxygen content combustion exhaust gases, particularly from internal combustion engines Download PDF

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Publication number
US4305803A
US4305803A US06/184,085 US18408580A US4305803A US 4305803 A US4305803 A US 4305803A US 18408580 A US18408580 A US 18408580A US 4305803 A US4305803 A US 4305803A
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United States
Prior art keywords
plate
tubular housing
sensor
electrode
housing
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Expired - Lifetime
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US06/184,085
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English (en)
Inventor
Barbara Beyer
Hermann Dietz
Karl Friese
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Robert Bosch GmbH
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Robert Bosch GmbH
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Assigned to ROBERT BOSCH GMBH reassignment ROBERT BOSCH GMBH ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: BEYER BARBARA, DIETZ HERMANN, FRIESE KARL
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N27/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means
    • G01N27/26—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating electrochemical variables; by using electrolysis or electrophoresis
    • G01N27/403—Cells and electrode assemblies
    • G01N27/406—Cells and probes with solid electrolytes
    • G01N27/407—Cells and probes with solid electrolytes for investigating or analysing gases
    • G01N27/4071—Cells and probes with solid electrolytes for investigating or analysing gases using sensor elements of laminated structure

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a gas sensor, and more particularly to a gas sensor to determine the oxygen content in combustion exhaust gases, especially exhaust gases from internal combustion (IC) engines, typically of the automotive type.
  • IC internal combustion
  • the construction of the sensor itself raises difficulties in sealing the gas diffusion barrier and the side of the electrolyte to which the sensing electrode is applied from the side of the electrolyte on which the reference electrode is applied, exposed to a reference gas. It is also difficult to maintain the seal throughout an extended lifetime due to differences in thermal coefficience of expansion of the components which are adjacent the solid electrolyte ion conductive body, such as a holding tube, diffusion barriers, the solid electrolyte itself, the sensing and reference electrodes and the like. Contacting the sensing electrode and the reference electrode, and associated conductive tracks also causes difficulty due to the high thermal loading in the sensing region. This high thermal loading interferes with operating reliability over an extended period of time.
  • a gas impervious layer is located on the edge portion of a plate-like oxygen ion conductive solid electrolyte body, one side of which has the electrode applied thereto.
  • the electrode extends over the gas impervious layer.
  • the plate itself is maintained in position within an essentially tubular housing by a central bolt or plug element which passes through the housing and is pressed by a spring or other resilient biasing force towards an in-turned edge portion of the housing which carries the conductor to contact the electrode.
  • the opposite side of the plate likewise has an electrode applied thereto and is contacted by the central bolt, thus also has a spring biased electrical contact terminal.
  • the side remote from the bolt carries a gas diffusion barrier to permit just sufficient oxygen to reach the sensing electrode to be converted by electrochemical reaction into diffusion limited current, as explained fully in the Reference Dietz application Ser. No. 6,093, and DE-OS 27 11 880.
  • the plate supported by the bolt has a slightly smaller outer diameter than the inner diameter of a tubular housing to permit expansion of the plate under heating condition, the pressure sliding contact providing for wiping contact action and likewise permitting differential expansion of the solid electrolyte body in the housing which, for example, may be made of ceramic.
  • a heat storage disk formed with openings for the passage of gas therethrough is located at the terminal portion of the housing, protecting the diffusion barrier layer and providing a heat equilization and storage zone, thus preventing excessive temperature gradients and rapid temperature swings.
  • a heating element for example in film form is located beneath the heat storage plate, contacted to electrical conductors which, for example, can be carried on the outside of the tubular sensor.
  • the sensor has the advantage that sealing problems no longer arise and different expansion of elements due to heating of the various components are compensated.
  • the electrical contacts and connections within the hot region, that is, the sensing zone are reliable in operation.
  • the sensor additionally, carries a heater element in the sensing region which can be easily made by modern mass production technology, for example, in thin film technology, and is directly secured to the sensor.
  • the overall construction is simple and can readily be made under mass production conditions.
  • FIG. 1 is a fragmentary enlarged high schematic longitudinal sectional view through the sensing end of a sensor
  • FIG. 2 is a cross-section through the sensor of FIG. 1 along line A-B.
  • the holding tube extending from the remainder of the housing portion of the sensor is a tube 11 made of ceramic, for example of aluminum oxide. It need not be gas impervious, but preferably is gas impervious.
  • the tube 11 has an outer diameter of about 8 mm., a wall thickness of about 0.8 mm., and has an in-turned bottom 12 at the end thereof.
  • the bottom 12 has a central opening 13 with a clear diameter of about 4 mm.
  • the entire structure is circular in cross-section.
  • an electrical conductor 15 is applied, extending over to the in-turned portion 12 of the bottom. Conductor 15 extends to the holding end portion of the housing for connection to a voltage source and to an evaluation circuit.
  • the conductor 15 preferably is a conductive track made of platinum and applied by any well known thin film process, for example by vapor deposition, spray, or the like.
  • a measuring electrode 16 is in surface contact with the conductive track 15.
  • the measuring electrode 16 is porous, preferably consists of platinum, has a thickness of about 0.01 mm., and is applied to a plate-like solid electrolyte body 17, by any well known thin film technology, and, preferably, by printing.
  • a thin gas impervious layer 18 is applied to the edge region of the solid electrolyte plate 17, the sensing electrode 16 extending thereover (see FIG. 1).
  • This layer extends into the opening 13 of the bottom 12 and is so made that it forms a predetermined diffusion or migration resistance to oxygen molecules, so that, upon application of a voltage between the electrode 16 and a counter electrode 21, the current flow will be an analog of the oxygen concentration, rather than merely representative of the presence or absence of oxygen.
  • the diffusion layer preferably is applied by plasma spraying on the measuring electrode 16.
  • the counter electrode 21 is applied to the solid electrolyte plate 17 at its major surface opposite that on which electrode 16 is applied.
  • counter electrode 21, forming a reference electrode is made of platinum, in accordance with any well known method, such as by vapor deposition, printing or the like.
  • it is gas pervious, and positioned opposite the measuring electrode 16.
  • the solid electrolyte plate 17 with the measuring electrode 16, the gas impervious layer 18 at the edge thereof, the diffusion resistance layer 20 and counter electrode 21 form a common element which is easily mounted within the holding tube 11, by providing a single unitary sub assembly 22.
  • the counter electrode 21 of the sub assembly 22 is engaged by the head 23 of the pressure contact formed by a bolt 24 which, in known manner, forms the second electrical connection to the measuring system.
  • the bolt 24 is pressed by a force P against the end portion 12 of the tube 11.
  • the force is resilient, as schematically indicated by spring P' and, at the other end, is supported by a suitable counter shoulder or the like, as schematically indicated by the counter surface which forms a part of, or is secured to the tube 11 of the sensor element 10.
  • a suitable pressure contact at the contacting surface of head 23 is a silver plated or coated refractory material. The diameter of the pressure contact may be about 2 mm.
  • a heater 26 is located at the sensing end portion 25 of the bottom 12.
  • the heater 26 has a heat storage plate 27 formed with gas penetration openings 28 through which the sensing gas can pass, and a film-like heater element 29.
  • the heater element 29 is a meander-shaped conductive track applied to the heat storage plate 27.
  • the meander is so arranged that it is beneath the region of the opening 13 of the tube 11.
  • the heating element preferably is of platinum and is applied to the diffusion or migration barrier 20 for the oxygen molecules. It is connected by two conductive tracks 30, 30' with the edge region of the heat storage plate 27.
  • the diameter of the heat storage plate 27 corresponds approximately to the outer diameter of the holding tube 11.
  • the holding tube 11 preferably is made of an insulating electrical material, such as a ceramic.
  • the holding tube 11, may, however, also be made of metal. If the holding tube 11 is made of metal, the conductive tracks 15 need not be used since the holding tube 11 may form the electrical connection to the electrode 16. On the other hand, however, the electrodes 32, 32' leading to the heater, and the respective portion 31, 31' extending over the bottom portion of the holding tube, as well as the contacting parts of the conductive tracks 30, 30' on the heat tube must be insulated, for example by a thin insulating layer of aluminum oxide or the like.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • Molecular Biology (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Immunology (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • Measuring Oxygen Concentration In Cells (AREA)
US06/184,085 1979-09-21 1980-09-04 Gas sensor construction, particularly to determine oxygen content combustion exhaust gases, particularly from internal combustion engines Expired - Lifetime US4305803A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE2938179 1979-09-21
DE19792938179 DE2938179A1 (de) 1979-09-21 1979-09-21 Polarographischer messfuehler zum messen der sauerstoffkonzentration in gasen, insbesondere in abgasen von brennkraftmaschinen

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US4305803A true US4305803A (en) 1981-12-15

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US06/184,085 Expired - Lifetime US4305803A (en) 1979-09-21 1980-09-04 Gas sensor construction, particularly to determine oxygen content combustion exhaust gases, particularly from internal combustion engines

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US (1) US4305803A (de)
JP (1) JPS5654345A (de)
DE (1) DE2938179A1 (de)

Cited By (19)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4377460A (en) * 1981-10-19 1983-03-22 Westinghouse Electric Corp. Solid electrolyte gas sensing apparatus
US4498968A (en) * 1983-03-29 1985-02-12 Ngk Spark Plug Co., Ltd. Oxygen sensor
US4592825A (en) * 1983-02-04 1986-06-03 Teresa Crevoiserat Probe for measuring oxygen partial pressure in a gas atmosphere
US5169512A (en) * 1988-04-08 1992-12-08 Robert Bosch Gmbh Planar polarographic probe for determining the λ value of gas mixtures
FR2769984A1 (fr) * 1997-10-22 1999-04-23 Bosch Gmbh Robert Element de detection planaire pour determiner des composants gazeux, notamment la teneur en oxygene contenue dans les gaz d'echappement de moteurs a combustion interne
US6007688A (en) * 1996-11-29 1999-12-28 Ngk Spark Plug Co., Ltd. Wide range air/fuel ratio sensor having one electrochemical cell
WO2001006246A1 (de) * 1999-07-15 2001-01-25 Fev Motorentechnik Gmbh Sensoranordnung zur erfassung von gasanteilen in partikelbehafteten gasströmungen
US6367309B1 (en) * 1998-11-20 2002-04-09 Robert Bosch Gmbh Method of producing an insulation layer, and sensor
EP1288658A2 (de) * 2001-09-03 2003-03-05 NGK Spark Plug Company Limited Gassensor mit protonenleitender Schicht
US20040074284A1 (en) * 2002-10-18 2004-04-22 Robert Bosch Corporation Miniaturized exhaust gas sensor
US20040149579A1 (en) * 2002-12-19 2004-08-05 General Electric Company System for monitoring combustible gases
EP1445606A1 (de) * 2003-01-31 2004-08-11 Ngk Spark Plug Co., Ltd. Gassensor
US20040261499A1 (en) * 2003-06-30 2004-12-30 Robert Bosch Corporation Contact pin for exhaust gas sensor
US20050224347A1 (en) * 2004-04-12 2005-10-13 Robert Bosch Gmbh Insulation bushing assembly for an exhaust gas sensor
US20060091008A1 (en) * 2002-05-23 2006-05-04 Detlef Heimann Heating device
US20080206107A1 (en) * 2007-02-23 2008-08-28 Honeywell International Inc. Gas sensor apparatus for automotive exhaust gas applications
US20080236246A1 (en) * 2007-03-27 2008-10-02 Honeywell International Inc. Gas sensor housing for use in high temperature gas environments
US8852695B2 (en) * 2012-09-10 2014-10-07 The Research Foundation For The State University Of New York Optical barriers, waveguides, and methods for fabricating barriers and waveguides for use in harsh environments
US11002700B2 (en) 2017-11-21 2021-05-11 Honeywell International Inc. High temperature gas sensor

Families Citing this family (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5958356A (ja) * 1982-09-28 1984-04-04 Fuji Electric Corp Res & Dev Ltd ガス分析機器の製造方法
JPS6025958U (ja) * 1983-07-28 1985-02-21 株式会社フジクラ 酸素濃度測定装置
US4579643A (en) * 1983-11-18 1986-04-01 Ngk Insulators, Ltd. Electrochemical device
JPS60129655A (ja) * 1983-12-17 1985-07-10 Ngk Spark Plug Co Ltd 酸素センサ
JPS60168058U (ja) * 1984-04-14 1985-11-07 株式会社フジクラ 酸素センサ
US4571285A (en) * 1984-05-29 1986-02-18 Fujikura Ltd. Oxygen sensor for and method of determining concentration of oxygen
FR2575551B1 (fr) * 1984-12-27 1987-03-06 Brunel Gerald Dispositif de sonde a oxygene et installation de regulation electronique de combustion equipee d'une telle sonde
US4908119A (en) * 1986-09-01 1990-03-13 Nippondenso Co., Ltd. Apparatus for determining oxygen concentration
JPH0810211B2 (ja) * 1986-09-05 1996-01-31 日本碍子株式会社 ガスセンサ及びその製造法
DE10122271B4 (de) * 2001-05-08 2006-06-29 Robert Bosch Gmbh Sensorelemente

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4155827A (en) * 1977-06-30 1979-05-22 Robert Bosch Gmbh Electro-chemical sensor construction
US4222840A (en) * 1978-04-03 1980-09-16 General Motors Corporation Heated solid electrolyte oxygen sensor

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS51142389A (en) * 1975-06-03 1976-12-07 Nissan Motor Co Ltd Oxygen senser

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4155827A (en) * 1977-06-30 1979-05-22 Robert Bosch Gmbh Electro-chemical sensor construction
US4222840A (en) * 1978-04-03 1980-09-16 General Motors Corporation Heated solid electrolyte oxygen sensor

Cited By (26)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4377460A (en) * 1981-10-19 1983-03-22 Westinghouse Electric Corp. Solid electrolyte gas sensing apparatus
US4592825A (en) * 1983-02-04 1986-06-03 Teresa Crevoiserat Probe for measuring oxygen partial pressure in a gas atmosphere
US4498968A (en) * 1983-03-29 1985-02-12 Ngk Spark Plug Co., Ltd. Oxygen sensor
US5169512A (en) * 1988-04-08 1992-12-08 Robert Bosch Gmbh Planar polarographic probe for determining the λ value of gas mixtures
US6007688A (en) * 1996-11-29 1999-12-28 Ngk Spark Plug Co., Ltd. Wide range air/fuel ratio sensor having one electrochemical cell
FR2769984A1 (fr) * 1997-10-22 1999-04-23 Bosch Gmbh Robert Element de detection planaire pour determiner des composants gazeux, notamment la teneur en oxygene contenue dans les gaz d'echappement de moteurs a combustion interne
US6367309B1 (en) * 1998-11-20 2002-04-09 Robert Bosch Gmbh Method of producing an insulation layer, and sensor
WO2001006246A1 (de) * 1999-07-15 2001-01-25 Fev Motorentechnik Gmbh Sensoranordnung zur erfassung von gasanteilen in partikelbehafteten gasströmungen
EP1288658A2 (de) * 2001-09-03 2003-03-05 NGK Spark Plug Company Limited Gassensor mit protonenleitender Schicht
EP1288658A3 (de) * 2001-09-03 2004-02-11 NGK Spark Plug Company Limited Gassensor mit protonenleitender Schicht
US20060091008A1 (en) * 2002-05-23 2006-05-04 Detlef Heimann Heating device
US8921738B2 (en) * 2002-05-23 2014-12-30 Robert Bosch Gmbh Gas sensor heating device insulation
US20040074284A1 (en) * 2002-10-18 2004-04-22 Robert Bosch Corporation Miniaturized exhaust gas sensor
US20040149579A1 (en) * 2002-12-19 2004-08-05 General Electric Company System for monitoring combustible gases
EP1445606A1 (de) * 2003-01-31 2004-08-11 Ngk Spark Plug Co., Ltd. Gassensor
US7416651B2 (en) 2003-01-31 2008-08-26 Ngk Spark Plug Co., Ltd. Gas sensor
US20040182705A1 (en) * 2003-01-31 2004-09-23 Ngk Spark Plug Co., Ltd. Gas sensor
US6843105B1 (en) 2003-06-30 2005-01-18 Robert Bosch Corporation Contact pin for exhaust gas sensor
US20040261499A1 (en) * 2003-06-30 2004-12-30 Robert Bosch Corporation Contact pin for exhaust gas sensor
US20050224347A1 (en) * 2004-04-12 2005-10-13 Robert Bosch Gmbh Insulation bushing assembly for an exhaust gas sensor
US7404883B2 (en) 2004-04-12 2008-07-29 Robert Bosch Gmbh Insulation bushing assembly for an exhaust gas sensor
US20080206107A1 (en) * 2007-02-23 2008-08-28 Honeywell International Inc. Gas sensor apparatus for automotive exhaust gas applications
US20080236246A1 (en) * 2007-03-27 2008-10-02 Honeywell International Inc. Gas sensor housing for use in high temperature gas environments
US7805992B2 (en) 2007-03-27 2010-10-05 Honeywell International Inc. Gas sensor housing for use in high temperature gas environments
US8852695B2 (en) * 2012-09-10 2014-10-07 The Research Foundation For The State University Of New York Optical barriers, waveguides, and methods for fabricating barriers and waveguides for use in harsh environments
US11002700B2 (en) 2017-11-21 2021-05-11 Honeywell International Inc. High temperature gas sensor

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS5654345A (en) 1981-05-14
DE2938179A1 (de) 1981-04-09
DE2938179C2 (de) 1987-12-23

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